IPL 2025 Thriller: KL Rahul Shines as Delhi Capitals Outclass RCB at Chinnaswamy
BENGALURU: In a night of pure cricketing drama at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, KL Rahul returned to his home turf with a breathtaking performance, scoring an unbeaten 93 off 53 balls (7×4, 6×6) to lead Delhi Capitals (DC) to a commanding six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025. As Rahul smashed the winning runs with a towering six, he marked his territory by drawing a symbolic circle on the adjacent pitch and thumping his bat—a gesture that screamed ownership of the stage on Thursday night.
Rahul, a local lad who grew up honing his skills in Bengaluru, was a dangerous proposition for RCB, especially after being dropped on just 5 by Rajat Patidar. Turning that reprieve into a match-defining knock, he oozed class and composure, guiding DC to chase down a tricky target of 164 with 13 balls to spare. His pivotal 111-run (55 balls) fourth-wicket stand with Tristan Stubbs (38 off 23 balls; 4×4, 1×6) was the cornerstone of DC’s triumph, extending their winning streak to four matches.
RCB’s bowlers started with intent, with the new-ball duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/26) and Yash Dayal troubling DC’s top order. The electric atmosphere at Chinnaswamy roared as openers Faf du Plessis (2), Jake Fraser-McGurk (7), and Abhishek Porel fell cheaply inside the Powerplay, leaving DC reeling at 58/4 in the ninth over. But under overcast skies, Rahul shifted gears spectacularly, targeting Josh Hazlewood in the 15th over for 22 runs with a flurry of delectable drives and audacious pulls, turning the tide decisively.
Phil Salt’s Blitz and a Costly Misstep
Earlier in the evening, RCB’s innings was ignited by an explosive start from Phil Salt, who raced to 37 off 17 balls (4×4, 3×6), helping his side to a blistering 61 in just 23 deliveries. Alongside Virat Kohli (22), Salt seemed unstoppable until a moment of chaos changed the game. A miscommunication during a quick single saw Salt stumble on the turn, and a direct hit from none other than KL Rahul ended his fiery knock, tilting the momentum in DC’s favor.
Post-Salt, RCB’s batting crumbled under pressure from DC’s spinners. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav (2/17) choked the middle order with their guile, while leggie Nigam bamboozled the batters with flighted deliveries. Kohli, attempting an ambitious drive, was caught brilliantly by Mitchell Starc at long-off, and skipper Rajat Patidar (25) couldn’t anchor the innings. Only a late cameo from Tim David (37* off 20 balls) propelled RCB to a respectable 163/7, with 36 runs plundered in the final two overs.
Despite a promising Powerplay score of 64/2, RCB’s middle order faltered with poor shot selection and an inability to counter DC’s spin attack. Mukesh Kumar struck early to dismiss a struggling Devdutt Padikkal, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling performance by the visitors.
Rahul’s Homecoming Masterclass
For KL Rahul, this wasn’t just a match; it was a homecoming. Having played his formative cricket in Karnataka, the Chinnaswamy holds a special place in his heart. His ability to absorb pressure after early wickets and then dominate with a blend of classic strokeplay and modern aggression underscored why he remains one of India’s finest batters. As DC continues their unbeaten run, Rahul’s form will be a key factor in their quest for the IPL 2025 title.
In a stadium known for high-scoring thrillers, this match lived up to its billing, with individual brilliance from Rahul and Salt lighting up the night. For RCB, the loss exposes familiar frailties in their batting depth and inability to close out tight games—a concern they must address swiftly in this fiercely competitive season.